Folding boat



Aug. 4, H H

FOLDING BdAT- Filed May 11, 1929 consist of a set screw 7 means of adjustment patented Aug. 4, 1931 UNITED STATES HANS HART, or MUNICH, GERMANY FOLDING BOAT Application filed May 11, 1929, Serial No. 362,230, and in Germany September 19, 1928.

I have filed applications for this patent in Germany on Sept. 19, 1928; on February 13, y

1929; in Austria on March 22, 1929; in Switzerland on March 25, 1929. The trueness of the keel llne of folding boats frequently becomes impaired after a short period of use or after long storage, in

consequence of the unavoidable inequality of tension in the wooden frame and in the 10 covering material or in consequence of warping or of other changes of form due to the inherent elasticity of the materials used 1n the construction of the trueness or warping of the keel impedes the straight motion of the boat and also makes turning more diificult, thus entailing greater effort and dexterity in handling the boat.

The present invention relates to a folding boat, in which this unavoidable loss of trueness of the keel line may be permanently compensated for by simple and reliable means.

According to the present invention the keel line can be adjusted by means of movable keel elements without in any way prej udicing or impairing the other constructive elements of the boat.

The accompanying drawings show a form of the folding boat according to the present invention, Fig. 1 being a plan view,Fig. 2 a

view in perspective of a constructional detail, Figs. 3 and 5 views of two forms of construction of the boat stem, and Fig. 4-. a section of a constructional detail of Fig. 3.

In the form of the invention here shown a keel piece or element (a) is provided for each half length of the boat, saidkeel piece 1 being firmly connected at its outer extremity to the stem (15) of the boat, the term'stem here applyin to both ends of the boat; the inner endo the keel pieceta) is free to swing about, with the stem as centre, and can be fixed in the desired position by suitable means; in the present case these means (d) arranged on the keel end and sliding in a slit (0 of the rib (a) of the boat; by means of the screw (d) the inner end ofthe keel piece (a) can be fastened in position after adjustment; the are similar for both boat. This loss of maybe utilized to purposely deflect the keel a side wind or to tinned curved line.

' the deck canvas (g halves. of the boat. It will be obvious that the connection-of the keel piece (a) to the stem (6) and to the rib- (a) or other suitable part of the boat body can be attained in various ways; the adjustable connection of theinner end of the piece (a) may, for instance, consist of a screw spindle and nut, which is self lockingand permits of adjustment of the keel line under way. v

The application of the above-described contrivance in practice is as follows:

1f the keel line of the boat has lost its trueness, as shown by the dotted line in Fig. 1, so

' that the keel pieces (a) form an obtuse angle, it is only necessary to swing the inner ends of the keel pieces (a) until they are in alinement, as shown by the full line in Fig. 1, and

then to said ends in this position by means of the set screws ((1). The boat is thus again given a straigh keel and the normal 9 easy motion and capacity of maneuvering of the boat again restored. In the accompanying drawings the adj ustmen-t angle of the keel pieces has been greatly exaggerated, it being in practice only necessary to move the inner v 7 ends of the pieces (a) an inch or two, which adjustment is without influence on the "other parts of the boat body. On the other hand, ifdesired, this adjustability of the keel line from the straight line, the keel then acting as a rudder, in orderto counteract the eifect of facilitate motion in a con- Suitable fittings are provided at each end of the boat for the watertight connection of the canvas deck and sides, said fittings making the attachmentof the canvas covering to the body of the boat unnecessary and thus preventing any injurious distortion of the canvas whenadjusting the keel pieces (a).

Figs. 3 and 4f show one form of construction of these fittings, which consist of two form plates (0, between which the end of and the two edges of the side pieces (it) are firmly clamped with the help of screws or other suitable means; in this way a firm and at the same time watertight connection is attainedand the canvas cover-- ing of theboat is perfectly independent of 5 vided with suitable ela the adiusting movement 0 (a). The form plates (0, geously be made of metal, suitable material and ma f the keel pieces f) may advantavulcanite or other y be further prostic packing pieces to increase the watertightness. The upper plate may alsoseriteas ahase for, fastening ,a boat ring onfor a sobket for fiX-illgtl flggstafl.

Fig. 5 shows another form of the fitting, according to which the latter consists of a single plat-e which is thiek enough to iillow of the attachment of the side canvasse either direct or with the hel formed .outei: bridle Having now described my invention in deitaiLI ('leclaretliatmhat I claiimiasnew is:

11. =In a foldin boat, a laterally adjzustable ikecl member.

2. ,In ya folding stem,-r.aikeelwmember lateral tqiustabl .body

her in laterally adjusted; positions.

.;3. 111 -a folding boat having a; body; element and stemsa-lat the bow and; stern, :keel sect-ions"eaclncomiectedfi ton -a corresponding i:stem'z'aird-radapted for} lateral swinging movement, .=;and imeans for -1 adjnstably engaging ':Btt0l11-k66l section to: apbody: element to rhold the? keel :sectionin' 'i-ts' adjusted. position.

A. JIn" a foldiimg boat; a plurality of; trans a versel-y; extendi ngs ribs,- stems at the bow; 1 an ol stern of the boat keel sections-each connected [tom corresponding stenrand: adapted; for latz'eral; sWi-ngingtmovement;:each 'keel' section: at its: inner enclebeing adjustably engaged with i one. of the, *ribs whereby to :holditho keelyisecitioni in laterallygzadjustedi positions. 7

t5. Imaafol'cling boat aa 5166111281; the forward aandrrea-r' ends of the: boat,: intermediate-i ribs, 1 deck -and sidereanvasses iai'keel sect-ion con- .nected to;each;stem and operative to :move the estemymndz lineal-1S3 associated with l the inter- :mediatewibsffori holding the: 'keel sections in adjusted-positions.

:In' testimony: whereofzlfiafiix my, signature.

-HANSHART.

p of a suitably boat, a {body gelement, 1a connected: to the stem'for swinging emovement and me ans sady rengagi-ngithe keel member to said elamentewhelreby toaliol'd the-ikeelzvmem-i 

